Steve Lukather

Early Life

Steven Lee Lukather was born on October 21, 1957, in the San Fernando Valley, California. Growing up in a creative environment, his father worked as an assistant director at Paramount Studios. Lukather's musical journey began at the age of seven when he received a Kay acoustic guitar and a copy of The Beatles' "Meet the Beatles!"—an album that profoundly influenced him. Initially playing keyboards and drums, he later taught himself guitar and took lessons from Jimmy Wyble, which expanded his musical knowledge and led him to aspire to become a session musician.

Career

Lukather's career took off in the 1970s as he became one of the most sought-after session guitarists in Los Angeles, contributing to over 1,500 records. His work includes notable collaborations with artists like Boz Scaggs and Michael Jackson, particularly on the iconic album "Thriller." As a founding member of the rock band Toto, he has been integral to their sound and success. Lukather's unique playing style, influenced by blues-rock and jazz fusion, has earned him recognition as one of the top session guitarists of all time. He has released nine solo albums, with his latest, "Bridges," coming out in June 2023.

Personal Life

Lukather's personal life has seen its share of ups and downs. He was married to singer Marie Currie in 1981, with whom he had two children before their divorce in 1990. He later married Shawn Batten in 2002, and they had two children before divorcing in 2010. As of 2022, Lukather has stated that he is single. His journey through marriage and fatherhood reflects the complexities of balancing personal life with a demanding music career.